How DIY can help you save Money on your Home Renovations

If you’ve got home renovations planned, then you might be wondering just how much of it you can do yourself, and how much you can leave to the professionals. The balance you strike will depend on the job in question, the time you have available, and the cost of bringing in a skilled labourer or two.

Why are home renovations expensive?

You can typically break down the cost of your renovations according to the labour, the tools, and the materials you’ll need. If you’re bringing in a tradesperson to do a job, then you’ll also be bringing in the tools they need to do it. Then there are the fixed costs, like the van they use to transport the equipment and materials, and the training that they’ve invested in to build their skill set.

In other words, DIY might seem like a cheaper alternative, but before making the comparison you’ll need to work out how much it will cost you to achieve the same result. Installing architrave around a door might require a little bit of specialised equipment to get that consistent 45-degree mitre cut, for example.

Painting and decorating

Painting a room is something that’s often attempted by DIYers. Bringing in a professional can be costly, but you can get middling results without much training or expertise. If you’re willing to do a little research and to do some sanding in between coats, you might find that you’re able to achieve excellent results. If you’re going to be painting multiple rooms, then spending the time getting that pole-sander working might be justified.

Plumbing

While getting a new tap installed might be a little bit intimidating, it’s often easier than you might expect. If you’re just doing a little bit of plumbing here and there, then DIY skills might help you to save a significant amount when something goes wrong. Dripping taps and the like can be easily corrected with minimal tools, and once you’ve fixed one tap, you’ll be able to address the rest of them. In the case that you need to do more complex plumbing work, using a specialist to install  professional plumbing and heating equipment will tend to provide peace of mind.

Buying second-hand

Certain items are much, much more affordable on the used market. These tend to include things which are difficult for resellers to ship. Check the local listings around you for furniture, mirrors and artwork. Even if you find something that’s not quite ready for your home, you might be able to upcycle it so that it meets the required standard.

Source your own materials

Getting all your materials from the same big-name DIY shop will probably leave you out of pocket. Shop around for everything you buy, and you might find that you’re able to secure a substantial discount over what you would have otherwise paid.